Occoquan, VA – It’s a sure sign that summer is quickly approaching because RiverFest & Craft Show is back June 1 & 2, 2024! Mark your calendars for the event of the season: a festival that celebrates the town’s rich history and heritage on the river and promises fun for everyone with events from 10am to 5pm both Saturday and Sunday. The town will close its streets and festival goers may shuttle or walk in. There is no admission fee at the gate. The shuttle fee from satellite parking is $8 round trip, or 2 for $15. Shuttle passes can be pre-purchased at occoquanfestivals.com.
SHOP, SHOP, SHOP!
Get ready to shop from more than 250 artisans, makers, and creators that fill the streets of town. Festival visitors can shop for everything from accessories to wood crafts, and literally everything in between. Find treasures from favorite crafters and discover new talent throughout the historic district. Many of the town’s shops and boutiques are ready to welcome you, too!
RIVER FUN
Whatever Floats Your Boat Parade
For the 2nd year, paddlers design and decorate a non-motorized vessel-be it raft, canoe, inflatable, kayak, or rowboat-and launch at Occoquan Regional Park and paddle along the coastline of town to Occoquan's footbridge to be judged. Watch the parade at 11:00am from the Ellicott footbridge (near Green shuttle stop) or from the Town Dock, near Mamie Davis Park. Free, no tickets required. Want to participate in the parade? Sign up!
16th Annual Duck Splash
Occoquan non-profit Patriots For Disabled Divers is hosting its annual Duck Splash fundraiser on Sunday, June 2 at 12:00pm. Sponsor a numbered rubber duck for $5, then join us at the Town Dock to watch it race along the Occoquan River with hundreds of other ducks! Winners receive $20-500 depending on their placement in the race. Sponsor a duck online!
Boat Tours
Exclusively during the weekend of RiverFest & Craft Show, Carefree Boat Club is offering an intimate 45-minute pontoon boat tour through our Occoquan waterway. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride, and keep your eyes peeled for our resident wildlife including osprey or eagles! Break out your camera as you cruise by Heron’s Haven, our neighboring isle, to spot blue heron and painted turtles. Tours start at 12:00pm on Saturday and 1:00pm on Sunday. More information and tickets available here.
RELAX, EAT, SIP & STROLL
Food lovers, follow the delicious aromas to your favorite food trucks, grills and gourmet-to-go vendors, as well as award-winning Occoquan restaurants. Now you can sip on your favorite alcoholic beverage while you stroll and shop throughout the event. Simply pop into any participating Occoquan restaurant with an on-premise license and get it to-go! Don’t miss the Beer & Wine Garden with live concerts starting at 12:00pm both days in River Mill Park. The Mill Street Draft Garden will be serving up pours to savor, while you relax and take in the beautiful views of the Occoquan River. Hand Painted Swinger is the featured band on Saturday and the Ashleigh Chevalier Band returns to Occoquan on Sunday. Pro-tip: Take the Green shuttle to drop you right at the park.
CONSERVATION ALLEY
Parents, didya know Occoquan's RiverFest has, not just arts & crafts, but big festival fun, family style? Be sure to visit our conservation corner and kids’ zone during RiverFest. Located in the center of town, Conservation Alley will be packed with family fun, crafts, delicious eats, beer, music, and plenty of love for the natural world! Kids can journey with Junior Passport, where kids can earn a free Conservation Alley sticker badge while learning simple ways to protect our wildlife and water. Be sure to check out both these family friendly shows below at Town Hall at 314 Mill Street:
June 1: Reptile World!
Get up close and personal with an interesting selection of live, large, colorful, and gentle reptiles from all over the world. Discover what reptiles are (and aren't), what makes them different from birds and mammals, and how important they are in our environment. More info and tickets available here.
June 2: Bird in the Hand Owl Show!
Treat your kids (or your own inner kid) to a special presentation from the Bird in the Hand, a wild bird education and rehabilitation program. Visit with several different types of owls that live in the area and learn the many adaptations these amazing creatures have that help them survive in the wild. More info and tickets available here.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, June 1
10am-5pm -- Arts & Crafts
10am-5pm -- Conservation Alley
11am-12pm -- Whatever Floats Your Boat Parade
12pm-4pm -- Boat Tours on the River
12pm-4pm -- Hand Painted Swinger in River Mill Park
12pm-5pm -- Beer Garden in River Mill Park
1pm & 3pm -- Reptile World at Town Hall
SUNDAY, June 2
10am-5pm -- Arts & Crafts
10am-5pm -- Conservation Alley
12pm-1pm -- 16th Annual Duck Splash
12pm-4pm -- Ashleigh Chevalier Band in River Mill Park
12pm-5pm -- Beer Garden in River Mill Park
1pm & 3pm -- Bird in the Hand Owl Show at Town Hall
1pm-4pm -- Boat Tours on the River
SHUTTLE INFORMATION
At a cost of $8 per rider round trip, or 2 for $15, (kids 12 and under ride free), visitors will park at designated lots and will be transported by shuttle into Town to attend the festival. The shuttle runs for patrons from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Satellite parking can be found at three locations:
Purple Route
Park at Lake Ridge Commuter Lot
Corner of Old Bridge and Minnieville Roads, Woodbridge, VA
Drop off/Return Up located at the corner of Commerce and Washington Streets
Green Route
Park at Rt 123 Commuter Lot
Corner of Route 123 and Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge, VA
Drop off/Return at Footbridge Shuttle Stop by River Mill Park
Yellow Route
Park at Workhouse Arts Center
9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA
Drop off/Return at the Shuttle Stop under the Route 123 Bridge
Join us for RiverFest & Craft Show, June 1-2, where there’s something for everyone! For more RiverFest & Craft Show information, including accessibility options and to purchase shuttle passes in advance, see occoquanfestivals.com or contact the Events Office at Events@occoquanva.gov.
